Introduction
James Arthur Boeheim (/ˈbeɪhaɪm/ BAY-hyme; born November 17, 1944) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the Syracuse Orange men's team of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Boeheim has guided the Orange to ten Big East regular season championships, five Big East Tournament championships, and 34 NCAA Tournament appearances, including five Final Four appearances and three appearances in the national title game. In those games, the Orange lost to Indiana in 1987 on a last-second jump shot by Keith Smart, and to Kentucky in 1996, before defeating Kansas in 2003 with All-American Carmelo Anthony.
Boeheim served as an assistant coach for the United States men's national basketball team at the 1990 FIBA World Championship, the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the 2008 Summer Olympics, the 2010 FIBA World Championship, the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the 2016 Summer Olympics. In addition, Boeheim has served as the chairman of the USA Basketball 2009–12 Men's Junior National Committee, as well as the 2007–08 President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), where he currently serves on the board of directors. Boeheim was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2005.
As a result of the Syracuse athletics scandal, in 2015 the NCAA vacated 101 of his wins.
Boeheim originally announced that he would retire in March 2018. However, following the departure of his long-time assistant coach and expected successor Mike Hopkins, Boeheim extended his contract with Syracuse beyond 2017 for an unknown period.
After suffering from cancer in 2001, Boeheim and his wife founded the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, which is devoted to child welfare, cancer treatment, and prevention.
Career
Playing
Boeheim was born in 1944 in Lyons, New York, a small town about 57 miles west of Syracuse. He graduated from Lyons Central High School.
Boeheim enrolled in Syracuse University as a student in 1962, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in social science. During his freshman year, Boeheim was a walk-on with the freshman basketball team. By his senior year, he was the varsity team captain and a teammate of All-American Dave Bing, his freshman roommate. The pair led coach Fred Lewis's Orange to a 22–6 overall win-loss record that earned the team's second-ever NCAA Tournament tournament berth. While at Syracuse, he joined the Delta Upsilon fraternity.
After graduating from Syracuse, Boeheim played professionally with the Scranton Miners of the Eastern Professional Basketball League, during which he won two championships and was a second-team all-star (SU Athletics).
Coaching
In 1969, Boeheim decided to coach basketball and was hired as a graduate assistant at Syracuse under Roy Danforth. Soon thereafter he was promoted to a full-time assistant coach and was a member of the coaching staff that helped guide the Orange to the 1975 NCAA Tournament, where Syracuse University made its first Final Four appearance.
In 1976, Danforth left to become the head basketball coach and athletic director at Tulane University. A coaching search then led to nought, and Boeheim was promoted to head coach. Apart from his brief stint in the pros, Boeheim has spent his entire adult life at Syracuse, as either a student, player, assistant coach or head coach, a rarity in modern-day major collegiate athletics. In 2018, CBSSports.com writer Matt Norlander emphasized this in a piece where he speculated on potential successors for Boeheim, stating:
Boeheim does not have a parallel in major college athletics. There has never been a Division I coach in men's basketball, women's basketball or football who has spent more than 40 years at their alma mater and never coached anywhere else. Boeheim's the only one. There is no coaching figure more synonymous and literally affiliated with only one school.
Norlander also noted that Boeheim entered the 2018–19 season with nearly as many wins on his official coaching record, and more when counting wins vacated by the NCAA, than all other permanent Syracuse head coaches combined, and in his various roles at Syracuse had been involved in over half of all men's basketball games in school history.
In 1986 Boeheim was offered the head coaching job at Ohio State but turned it down to stay at Syracuse.
During a Syracuse vs. Georgetown game in the early 1980s, Hoyas star Patrick Ewing was nearly struck by an orange, and at times had endured racial taunts from the SU student section. Boeheim borrowed a microphone and threatened to forfeit the game if fans continued to throw objects at Ewing.
In 42 years as head coach at Syracuse, Boeheim has guided the Orange to postseason berths, either in the NCAA or NIT tournaments, in every year in which the Orange have been eligible. The only times the Orange missed the postseason was in 1993 when NCAA sanctions barred them from postseason play despite a 20–9 record and in 2015 when Syracuse University self-imposed a one-year postseason ban related to the 2015 NCAA sanctions against the University's sports programs. During his tenure, the Orange have never had a losing season, have appeared in three NCAA national championship games (1987, 1996, and 2003) and won the national title in 2003.
Boeheim has been named Big East coach of the year four times, and has been named as District II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches ten times. In 2004, Boeheim received two additional awards. The first was during the spring when he was awarded the Clair Bee Award in recognition of his contributions to the sport of basketball. During the fall of the same year Boeheim was presented with Syracuse University's Arents Award, the University's highest alumni honor.
Boeheim's coaching style at Syracuse is unusual in that, whereas many highly-successful coaches prefer the man-to-man defense, he demonstrates a preference for the match-up 2–3 zone.
In an exhibition game on November 7, 2005 against Division II school Saint Rose from Albany, New York, Boeheim was ejected for the first time in his career after arguing a call late in the first half in the Orange's 86–73 victory. He was also ejected from Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 22, 2014 against Duke after arguing a player control foul call.
Boeheim has also been a coach for USA national teams. In 2001, during his seventh year as a USA basketball coach, Boeheim helped lead the Young Men's Team to a gold medal at the World Championship in Japan. During the fall of that year he was named USA Basketball 2001 National Coach of the Year. He was an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski for the US national team in the 1990 FIBA World Championship and 2006 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal both times. He returned as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, and again at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, where the United States won the gold medal both times.
In the 2012–13 season, Boeheim led Syracuse to their first Final Four appearance since their 2003 NCAA National Championship. The Orange lost to the University of Michigan 61–56.
In the 2013–2014 season, he led the Orange to the NCAA Tournament and lost in the third-round game versus the Dayton Flyers.
The Syracuse basketball program has been investigated for major NCAA violations on two separate occasions during Boeheim's tenure.
NCAA violations and punishment
On March 6, 2015, the NCAA suspended Boeheim for the first nine games of 2015–16 ACC conference play and took away 12 scholarships over a four-year period, as a result of a multi-year investigation into the university's athletic programs. The program was forced to vacate a total of 101 wins from the 2004–2005, 2005–2006, 2006–2007, 2010–2011, and 2011–2012 seasons, which included any game during those years where one or more players deemed to have been ineligible played. This constitutes the third-most wins ever permanently vacated by one program, behind the 113 wins vacated by Michigan and 123 wins by Louisville. However, the NCAA confirmed that sanctions did not include the removal of any trophies or banners. Therefore, Syracuse displays banners for all of its NCAA appearances and conference titles from those years.
After two separate appeals, Boeheim's nine-game suspension was upheld, though he was permitted to begin the suspension prior to ACC conference play as dictated in the original penalty. Additionally, the permanent vacation and erasure of 101 wins was upheld. However, the number of scholarships lost by Syracuse was reduced to 8 over a four-year period, down from 12 over the same period.
Retirement
Boeheim had previously stated that he would retire in April 2018. However, in 2017 when his son committed to play at Syracuse starting in 2018 he extended his contract to beyond the 2017–18 season.
Records and accomplishments
Head coaching record
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse Orangemen (NCAA Division I independent) | |||||||||
| 1976–77 † | Syracuse | 26–4 | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||||
| 1977–78 | Syracuse | 22–6 | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||||
| 1978–79 | Syracuse | 26–4 | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||||
| Syracuse Orangemen/Orange (Big East Conference) | |||||||||
| 1979–80 | Syracuse | 26–4 | 5–1 | T–1st | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 1980–81 | Syracuse | 22–12 | 6–8 | 6th | NIT Runner-up | ||||
| 1981–82 | Syracuse | 16–13 | 7–7 | T–5th | NIT Round of 32 | ||||
| 1982–83 | Syracuse | 21–10 | 9–7 | 5th | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 1983–84 | Syracuse | 23–9 | 12–4 | T–2nd | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 1984–85 | Syracuse | 22–9 | 9–7 | T–3rd | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 1985–86 | Syracuse | 26–6 | 14–2 | T–1st | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 1986–87 | Syracuse | 31–7 | 12–4 | T–1st | NCAA Division I Runner-up | ||||
| 1987–88 | Syracuse | 26–9 | 11–5 | 2nd | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 1988–89 | Syracuse | 30–8 | 10–6 | 3rd | NCAA Division I Elite Eight | ||||
| 1989–90 | Syracuse | 26–7 | 12–4 | T–1st | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 1990–91 | Syracuse | 26–6 | 12–4 | 1st | NCAA Division I Round of 64 | ||||
| 1991–92 | Syracuse | 22–10 | 10–8 | T–5th | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 1992–93 | Syracuse | 20–9 | 10–8 | 3rd | Ineligible | ||||
| 1993–94 | Syracuse | 23–7 | 13–5 | 2nd | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 1994–95 | Syracuse | 20–10 | 12–6 | 3rd | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 1995–96 | Syracuse | 29–9 | 12–6 | 2nd | NCAA Division I Runner-up | ||||
| 1996–97 | Syracuse | 19–13 | 9–9 | T–4th | NIT Round of 64 | ||||
| 1997–98 | Syracuse | 26–9 | 12–6 | 1st | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 1998–99 | Syracuse | 21–12 | 10–8 | T–4th | NCAA Division I Round of 64 | ||||
| 1999–00 | Syracuse | 26–6 | 13–3 | T–1st | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 2000–01 | Syracuse | 25–9 | 10–6 | T–2nd | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 2001–02 | Syracuse | 23–13 | 9–7 | T–3rd | NIT Fourth Place | ||||
| 2002–03 | Syracuse | 30–5 | 13–3 | T–1st | NCAA Division I Champion | ||||
| 2003–04 | Syracuse | 23–8 | 11–5 | T–3rd | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 2004–05 | Syracuse | 12–7* | 11–5* | * | NCAA Division I Round of 64* | ||||
| 2005–06 | Syracuse | 0–12* | 0–9* | * | NCAA Division I Round of 64* | ||||
| 2006–07 | Syracuse | 2–11* | 2–6* | * | NIT Quarterfinal* | ||||
| 2007–08 | Syracuse | 21–14 | 9–9 | T–8th | NIT Quarterfinal | ||||
| 2008–09 | Syracuse | 28–10 | 11–7 | 6th | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 2009–10 | Syracuse | 30–5 | 15–3 | 1st | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 2010–11 | Syracuse | 20–8* | 12–6* | * | NCAA Division I Round of 32* | ||||
| 2011–12 | Syracuse | 0–3* | 0–1* | * | NCAA Division I Elite Eight* | ||||
| 2012–13 | Syracuse | 30–10 | 11–7 | 5th | NCAA Division I Final Four | ||||
| Syracuse Orange (Atlantic Coast Conference) | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | Syracuse | 28–6 | 14–4 | 2nd | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | ||||
| 2014–15 | Syracuse | 18–13 | 9–9 | 8th | Ineligible | ||||
| 2015–16 | Syracuse | 19–9** | 9–6** | T–9th | NCAA Division I Final Four | ||||
| 2016–17 | Syracuse | 19–15 | 10–8 | T–7th | NIT Second Round | ||||
| 2017–18 | Syracuse | 23–14 | 8–10 | T–10th | NCAA Division I Sweet 16 | ||||
| 2018–19 | Syracuse | 20–14 | 10–8 | T-7th | NCAA Division I Round of 64 | ||||
| 2019–20 | Syracuse | 18–14 | 10–10 | T-6th | Postseason not held | ||||
| Syracuse: | 964*–399 (.707)*** | 404–247 (.621) | |||||||
| Total: | 964*–399 (.707)*** | ||||||||
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Accomplishments
Boeheim's notable accomplishments during his career include:
- Led Syracuse University to a national championship (2003)
- Led Syracuse University to 3 national championship game appearances
- (1987, 1996, 2003)
- Led Syracuse University to 5 Final Four appearances
- (1987, 1996, 2003, 2013, 2016)
- Led Syracuse University to 7 Elite Eight appearances
- (1987, 1989, 1996, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2016)
- Led Syracuse University to 19 Sweet Sixteen appearances
- (1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018)
- Led Syracuse University to 33 NCAA Tournament appearances
- (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018)
- Led Syracuse University to ten Big East regular season championships
- (1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1998*, 2000, 2003, 2010, 2012)
- two division champions were crowned as a regular champions.
- Led Syracuse University to five Big East tournament championships
- (1981, 1988, 1992, 2005, 2006)
- Leads all Big East coaches (past and present) in wins (366)
- Ranks sixth among active Division I coaches (min. 10 years) in winning percentage (.750)
- In 43 seasons at Syracuse, has compiled 34 20-win seasons, good for second most on the all-time list
- Became only the 14th coach ever to reach 750 wins (2007)
- Four-time Big East Coach of the Year (1984, 1991, 2000, 2010)
- USA Basketball's National Coach of the Year (2001)
- Under Boeheim, the Orange have only missed the NCAA Tournament two years in a row twice
- In recognition of Boeheim's numerous accomplishments as SU's head coach, the University named the Carrier Dome court "Jim Boeheim Court" on February 24, 2002.
- Basketball Hall of Fame (2005) as a coach
- Joined Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Calhoun as the third active coach with 800 wins.
- Coached the Orange to a six overtime win against the UConn Huskies, 127–117, the longest game in the history of Big East Conference play.
- Named 2010 Naismith Coach of the Year (along with the same honor from the AP, Sporting News and many others) after leading Syracuse to an unexpected 30–5 record.
- On December 17, 2012, Boeheim became the third coach in NCAA men's basketball history to reach 900 wins, along with Bob Knight and Mike Krzyzewski. 101 of those wins were vacated in 2015 after an NCAA investigation. On February 7, 2017, Boeheim officially reached this milestone again.
Coaching tree
These former assistant coaches or players of Boeheim later became head coaches at the collegiate level or higher.
- Scott Hicks: Le Moyne (1992–1997); Albany (1997–2000); Loyola (MD) (2000–2004)
- Mike Hopkins: Washington (2017–present)
- Brendan Malone: Rhode Island (1984–1986); Toronto Raptors (1995–1996); Cleveland Cavaliers (2005, interim)
- Wayne Morgan: Long Beach State (1996–2002); Iowa State (2003–2006)
- Rob Murphy: Eastern Michigan (2011–present)
- Tim O'Toole: Fairfield (1998–2006)
- Louis Orr: Siena (2000–2001); Seton Hall (2001–2006); Bowling Green (2007–2014)
- Rick Pitino: Boston University (1978–1983); Providence (1985–1987); New York Knicks (1987–1989); Kentucky (1989–1997); Boston Celtics (1997–2001); Louisville (2001–2017); Iona (2020-present)
- Stephen Thompson: Cal State Los Angeles (2005–2014)
- Tim Welsh: Iona (1995–1998); Providence (1998–2008)
Additionally, all three assistants on Boeheim's 2017–18 coaching staff played at Syracuse under Boeheim: Adrian Autry, Gerry McNamara, and Allen Griffin.
Personal life
Boeheim appeared in the movie Blue Chips, with Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal, playing himself. Boeheim also appeared in the Spike Lee movie He Got Game, again playing himself. Boeheim has appeared in numerous commercials throughout Central New York and also had a spot in a nationwide Nike Jordan ad featuring former Syracuse great Carmelo Anthony. Boeheim likes to listen to the music of Bruce Springsteen. In an interview, he said that he had no interest in pursuing any other career other than coaching Little League after he retires from coaching basketball.
Boeheim had prostate cancer in 2001 and subsequently became a major fund-raiser for Coaches vs. Cancer, a non-profit collaboration between the NABC and the American Cancer Society, through which he has helped raise more than US$4.5 million for ACS's Central New York chapter since 2000. In 2009, Boeheim and his wife, Juli, founded the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation to expand their charitable mission to organizations around Central New York concerned with child welfare, as well as cancer treatment and prevention.
Boeheim and his wife, Juli, have three children together: Jimmy and twins, Buddy and Jamie. Boeheim also has a daughter, Elizabeth, with former wife Elaine. His son Jimmy plays forward for Cornell , Jamie is a forward for the University of Rochester,and Buddy is a guard, playing for his father at Syracuse.
Around 11:22 p.m. on Feb 20, 2019, Boeheim was driving his car on Interstate 690 in Syracuse when he struck and killed a 51-year-old man who was standing near the side of the road. The accident was reportedly a result of a disabled car being in the middle of the road in bad weather. When Boeheim maneuvered around the other car, he struck the man, who had been a passenger in the disabled car. Field, speed, and sobriety tests were administered by police. It was additionally found that the disabled vehicle did not have lights on and had non-operational rear marker lights, and that the passengers of the disabled car, including the man who was struck and killed, were wearing dark clothing. Boeheim was cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident.